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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has hailed Professor Shaffy Amuwo for opening the doors of health professions to thousands of minority students and facilitating more than $50 million worth of medical supplies and eyeglasses to African countries.
Tinubu, in a special tribute to mark Amuwo’s 80th birthday on Tuesday, described the scholar, patriot and public intellectual as a man whose eight decades of life had been defined by scholarship, leadership, service, global impact and commitment to humanity.
The President said Amuwo’s passion for humanity and minority rights inspired him to launch the pioneering “Pipelines/Pathways to Health Professions” programme, which created opportunities for thousands of minority students to pursue careers in the health professions.
He noted that the professor’s contributions to public health and minority advancement earned him a commendation on the floor of the United States Congress in 2004, followed by the establishment of a Minority Scholarship Fund in his name by the US Congress.
Tinubu also praised Amuwo’s humanitarian interventions across Africa, saying his medical missions had helped facilitate more than $50 million worth of medical supplies and eyeglasses to countries including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
“Prof. Amuwo is a scholar, a patriot, and a man of deep convictions,” Tinubu said.
The President said he had personally come to value Amuwo’s wisdom, commitment to public service and democracy, as well as his “unwavering love for Lagos and Nigeria.”
He said Amuwo had made significant contributions to public health education and infrastructure as an academic and public intellectual, adding that his insights had enriched policy debates on public health.
“His counsel has been a source of strength to many, including me,” Tinubu said.
The President also recalled Amuwo’s contribution to public health infrastructure in Lagos while serving on the Governing Board of Lagos State University (LASU).
According to Tinubu, Amuwo’s service to humanity also extended to the Nigerian Muslim community in the United States, where he served in several leadership positions and helped propagate Islam in Nigeria and beyond.
“His love for humanity and minority rights led him to launch a pioneering programme called ‘Pipelines/Pathways to Health Professions,’ which opened doors for thousands of minority students to become health professionals with various degrees,” the President said.
Tinubu described Amuwo’s humanitarian missions as another significant dimension of his service, noting that the professor helped channel critical medical resources to African communities.
He said the celebrant had given his friends, including himself, “the gift of friendship and loyalty,” describing him as a “friend, a brother, and a compatriot.”
“In essence, most of Prof. Amuwo’s 80 years are hallmarked by scholarship, leadership, service, global impact, and commitment to friendship,” Tinubu said.
The President prayed that Almighty Allah would grant Amuwo more years in good health, renewed strength and greater joy.
“May his life continue to be a blessing to his family, students, professional associates, friends, and our nation,” he said.
“Happy Birthday, Prof. Shaffy Amuwo. Happy birthday, my friend and brother”, he signed.
Tinubu signed the tribute as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
